2A Prep Boys Basketball: R.A. Long starts quick, wallops Woodland

Jacks Attack — Joshua Crane leads Lumberjacks over Beavers 72-22

Joshua Crane (21) of R.A. Long drives baseline with Woodland’s Michael Belvin (right) defending closely during a 72-22 win for the Lumberjacks, Tuesday, Jan. 7, at The Lumberdome. Crane picked up an assist on the play and finished the contest with a game-high 21 points. — Skyler Smith for Blast Zone Media

Dacota Haynes for Blast Zone Media

Joshua Crane led the way as the Lumberjacks cruised past Woodland 72-22, Tuesday, in 2A Greater St. Helens League boys basketball action at The Lumberdome.

It was the same result that we’ve seen from the Jacks since they suffered their first loss, but it was a different story entirely.

— R.A. Long flexes their teamwork with back-to-back plays at the Lumberdome in Longview, WA, on Jan. 7, 2025. Joshua Crane (#21) caps the sequence with a slick up-and-under move after a quick steal. — Video by Skyler Smith for Blast Zone Media

With but one exception so far, the red and black squad have been axing their opponents down one by one, and destroying them inside the paint. There’s been little to complain about, except for a nasty habit of getting off to slow starts nearly every night.

However, this time around Nichols Boulevard the Lumberjacks did not struggle at all after the jump. They managed to avoid that ongoing theme by attacking the rim early and often, and snatching the ball out of the Beavers’ hands whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Playing in front of their home fans on Joe Moses Court, the Jacks seemed to have more energy than normal and they harnessed it more effectively than the visitors on the way to a 22-9 lead by the end of the first quarter.

And nobody was was more dialed in than Joshua Crane, who scored a game-high 21 points for the R.A. Long.

— The Lumberjacks’ high-powered offense put their precision passing on display on this possession against Woodland, culminating in a powerful dunk by Joshua Crane (#21) at The Lumberdome. — Video by Skyler Smith for Blast Zone Media

“We’re trying to get rid of all of the bad habits,” Crane said. “We’re trying to come out with more energy, good defense and execute our plays.”